Muffler



T. K. CORLESS June 4, 1935.

MUFFLER Filed Dec. 29, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l T. K. CORLESS June 4, 1935.

MUFFLER Filed Dec. 29, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mrm Patented June 4, 1935UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to muflier constructions for internalcombustion engines such as used on automobiles, aeroplanes, etc., andhas for its primary object to provide a simplified ap- 5 paratus formedof comparatively few parts and yet which is strong and durable inoperation and performs its prescribed functions in a highly eflicientmanner.

Another object of the invention resides in the in provision of a mufflerwhich serves not only to break up the exhaust gases to deaden the soundof the explosion and to reduce the visibility of the exhaust gases, butalso to reduce back pressure to a minimum so as to increase theefficiency of the engine.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a muflier whichis operated by the exhaust gases of the engine so as to produce asuction action in the exhaust passages to thereby aid in the evacuationof exhaust gases and consequently reduce to a minimum the deposit ofcarbon on the cylinder walls and pistons of the engine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus suspended by ahanger from the framework of an automobile.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the muffler casing showingthe rotary member in elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the rotary member and itscasing, and,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure2.

Referring to the drawings in more detail the numeral I indicates aportion of the framework of a conventional automobile or other vehicleand depending from this frame is a hanger 2 on which the improvedmuffler is supported.

The muilier includes a casing composed of two half sections 3 eachprovided with a flange 4 by means of which the mating sections aresecured together. Interposed between the flanges 4 is an asbestos gasket5, and bolts 6 extending through apertures in the flanges serve toreleasably hold the casing sections in operative position.

The casing just described is provided with a the end of this pipe 8 issquared as indicated by numeral 9 and the inlet port 1 is similarlyformed so as to prevent any liability of relative rotary movementbetween the pipe 8 and the casing 3. The exhaust port of the casing 3comprises four segmental openings M which are adapted to com- 5 municatewith similar openings formed in a rotary wheel about to be described.

Extending through the casing 3 and having its ends projecting asubstantial distance there beyond is a shaft l I on which a wheel I2 isfixed as by means of keys l3. Mounted on opposite ends of the casing 3and centrally thereof are bearing members I! and I5. Each of thesebearing members is provided with a bail race IE to provide anti-frictionbearings for the ends of the 15 shaft ll. Disposed between the bearingsI8 and the interior of the casing 3 are asbestos discs l1 and bronzediscs l8 which serve to reduce the amount of heat passing to thesebearings. Moreover it is to be noted that by reason of the length of thebearing members or sleeves II and I! the bearings l6 are spaced asubstantial distance from the hot gases passing through the muffler andconsequently the tendency of the bearings to become overheated isgreatly reduced. Asbestos discs l9 are also disposed on that side ofeach bearing which is remote from the muffler and the discs are held inposition by threaded caps 20 which also provide ready access to thebearings when necessary. 30

The wheel l2 heretofore referred to is provided with a series of pockets2| which are circumferentially arranged about the periphery of the wheelso that the mouth of each pocket is successively brought intocommunication with the inlet port 1 as the wheel is rotated. The mouthsof the pockets are substantially rectangular to conform to thecross-sectional shape of the port 1. The base of each of the pockets 2|is provided A with an integral extension 22 which extends to a pointadjacent the bottom of the next succeeding pocket and thus serves as apartition or baflie plate for this latter pocket. It will be understoodtherefore that exhaust gases entering any particular pocket will firsttravel in the direction of rotation of the wheel and will then travel inthe opposite direction as they pass beyond the end of the particularpartition or baffle plate 22.

In order to further break up the gases projected from the cylinders ofthe engine the interior of each of the pockets is preferably providedwith a plurality of transversely extending rounded ribs 23. Also thepartitions 22 are provided with transversely extending rounded ribs 24which oooperate with theridge 23 in breaking up the gases and deadeningthe sounds of the explosions.

From an inspection of Figures 2 and 4 it will be noted that one sideofthe wheel I2 is closed and that the other side is provided with apluralityof segmental openings 25 which correspond with similar openingsin in the adjacent side of the casing 3. Moreover it will appear from aninspection of Figures 3 and 4 that the hub 26 of the wheel i2 isprovided with a plurality of radially extending fins 21. These finsoperate to further break up the gases as they pass from the mouths ofthe several pockets on their travel to the exhaust openings 25 and I 01'the wheel and easing respectively. The bearing member I4 is providedwith an outlet 28 with which communicates an exhaust pipe 29 leading tothe atmosphere. While I have shown the exhaust openings 25 and ID asprovided on only one side of the wheel l2 and easing 3 it will beobvious that if found desirable similar openings may be provided in eachside of the wheel and casing and two exhaust pipes 29 provided fordirecting the gases to the atmosphere.

In the operation of the device the exhaust gases enter the casing 3 fromthe pipe 8 leading to the engine cylinder and are successively projectedinto the pockets 2| as the latter are brought into alignment with thepipe 8 and due to the shape of the mouth of the pipe and its angularrelation to the wheel l2 the gases will continue to be projected intothe mouth of a pocket for a substantial period while the pocket ismoving in a direction away from the pipe 8. As the gases enter theseries of pockets it will be obvious that they cause a rapid rotation ofthe wheel and that they are partly broken up while but slightly retardedby engagement by the rounded ribs 23 and 24. As the gases leave thebottom of each pocket their direction is reversed by reason of thebaifle plates 22 and they then travel in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of the wheel l2. This change of direction of travelfurther breaks up the gases and since in leaving the pockets the gasesimpinge on the fins 21 they are still further broken up prior toengaging the walls of the openings 25 and In, by which they are furtherbroken up, on their way to the exhaust pipe 29. This circuitous path ofthe gases leaving the engine cylinders obviously reduces the sound ofthe explosions and moreover the rapid rotation of the wheel i2 serves tocreate a suction action in the pipe 8 thereby substantially relievingthe system of back-pressure and also serving to some extent in removingresidual spent gases from the cylinders and exhaust manifold.

From the foregoing description taken with the accompanying drawings itwill be apparent that I have prepared a relatively simple constructionof muiiler composed of a very few parts; that the rotary elementemployed serves to reduce backpressure in the system as well as toreduce carbon deposit in the cylinder; that the circuitous passagesprovided by the pockets, bailie-plates, ribs,

fins and cooperating movable and immovable segmental openings cause avery substantial breaking up and burning of the gases prior to theirentrance into the exhaust pipe 29, thereby reducing to a minimum thesounds of the explosion in the cylinder and without unduly obstructingthe gases; and that the bearings on which the rotary element issupported are disposed beyond the range of the intense heat of theexhaust gases passing through the muilier with a consequent eliminationliability of burning out the bearings.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described what I nowbelieve to be the preferred l. A muflier for internal combustionengines, I

including a substantially cylindrical casing provided with a tangentialinlet port and an axial exhaust port, a wheel rotatably mounted withinsaid casing, a plurality of pockets arranged circumierentially aboutsaid wheel and adapted to be brought successively into communicationwith said inlet port, said pockets shaped to reverse the direction ofthe gases while in the pockets, and a plurality of fins carried by thehub of the wheel and revolving therewith, said fins being in the path ofthe gases flowing from the pocketsto the axial exhaust port.

2. A mufller for internal combustion engines including a casing providedwith a tangential inlet port and an axial exhaust port, a shaftextending through said casing and having its ends projecting asubstantial distance beyond the same the gases exhausting around saidshaft from the axial exhaust port, bearing members supported on each endof said casing and receiving the ends 01 said shaft, the casingsupporting the bearing members being exposed to the atmosphere, asbestosdiscs disposed between said bearings and the interior of the casing, apocketed wheel mounted on said shaft, and the pockets of said wheelshaped to reverse the direction of the gases while in the pockets.

3. A mufller for internal combustion engines including a casing having atangential inlet port and an axial exhaust port, a wheel rotatablymounted within said casing, a plurality oi. pockets arrangedcircumferentially about said wheel and adapted to be broughtsuccessively into communication with said inlet port, a relatively largemixing chamber arranged centrally oi the wheel, the gases passing fromsaid pockets into the mixing chamber, and then passing axially from themixing chamber, the wheel having openings to permit the gases to passaxially from the mixing chamber, the portions of the wheel between saidopenings functioning to further break up the gases as they aredischarged axially from the mixing chamber.

4. A muiller for internal combustion engines including a casing having atangential inlet port and an axial exhaust port, a wheel rotatablymounted within said casing, a plurality of pockets arrangedcircumferentially about said wheel and adapted to be broughtsuccessively into communication with said inlet port, a relatively largemixing chamber arranged centrally of the wheel, the gases passing fromsaid pockets into the mixing chamber, and then passing axially from themixing chamber, the wheel having openings to permit the gases to passaxially from the mixing chamber, the portions of the wheel between saidopenings functioning to further break up the gases as they aredischarged axially from the mixing chamber, and means arranged withinthe mixing chamber for breaking up the gases before they pass from themixing chamber.

5. A mufller for internal combustion engines including a casing having atangential inlet port and an axial exhaust port, a wheel rotatablymounted within said casing, a plurality of pockets arrangedcircumierentially'about said wheel and adapted to be broughtsuccessively into communication with said inlet port, a relatively largemixing chamber arranged centrally of the wheel, the gases passing fromsaid pockets into the mixing chamber, and then passing axially from themixing chamber, the wheel having openings to permit .the gases to passaxially from the mixing chamber, the portions of the wheel between saidopenings functioning to further break up the gases as they aredischarged axially from the mixing chamber, and a second chamberreceiving the axially discharged gases, said chamber haw ing an exhaustport.

THOMAS K. CORLESS.

